Aspen, Colorado – May 15, 2013 – In support of alternative transportation options, the City of Aspen and Aspen School District challenged its elementary and middle school students to bike or walk to school today. More than one hundred students participated with a majority of them riding their bikes. Approximately thirty participants met at Paepcke Park and rode to the Aspen School campus with an Aspen Police Department bicycle escort; walkers met at the Aspen Chapel and also had a police escort to school. The rest of the participants biked or walked on their own.

“We have such a safe, accessible and beautiful trail system. It was wonderful to see so many kids commuting by bike and foot today and we hope parents will continue to support this healthy way for their children to commute to school,” said Aspen Police Chief Richard Pryor.

In addition to the Aspen Police Department, representatives from the City’s Transportation Department and Canary Initiative were also at the event. “This is a really great day and we love to see all the kids getting to school by their own power,” said Lynn Rumbaugh, City of Aspen Transportation Manager. “It’s important to expose kids to the variety of transportation options available and to know that automobiles are not the only way to get to school and empower them to make their own choices.”

The Canary Initiative encourages citizens of all ages to lessen their carbon emissions. This month Canary is encouraging people to replace at least one trip in a vehicle with one bike trip each week. You can find out more on this campaign and enter to win a bike tune-up this month at www.facebook.com/canaryinitiative.

The City of Aspen works with a variety of programs to mitigate the impacts of traffic and pollution. An event such as Bike and Walk to School Day is a great opportunity to further these efforts.